Following King Charles’s speech in Canada (27 May), it is time to challenge the repeated claim by Donald Trump that Canada has been a freeloader on America with regard to defence. In the first world war, Canada lost around 61,000 people out of a population of 8 million. US combat deaths were 53,000 from 100 million. In the second world war, both nations lost similar proportions of their populations.
Canada supplied quality and technical skills for the frontline, from the tunnellers of Vimy Ridge, portrayed in the Canadian parliament chamber, to the strategic bomber crews (40% Commonwealth) and the corvettes that protected American ships in the Battle of the Atlantic.
In Britain, we benefited from Canadian generosity. The US charged interest for decades on its postwar loan to the UK, while Canada donated $1bn.
Prof Nick Bosanquet
York
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